Chapter 207: The King of Thieves Gets Caught, the Main Event Arrives
Shane, of course, was oblivious to the commotion at the docks. He was currently enjoying the pastoral scenery from his pig-cart. His memories from his past life were accurate. Setting aside the whole soul-payment thing, Totto Land really was a fairytale kingdom. Beautiful, prosperous, stable, with no food shortages or pirate raids, a place where all races lived together in harmony.
And of course, it wasn't just food that was plentiful. The wool provided by the Charlotte Family was abundant as well. By now, his little technique had reached a state of perfection. Most of the time, he didn't even need to use his hands. He could just send out fine, flowing tendrils of Haki, like ghostly little fingers, to pluck items from his targets.
Pass through the flowers without a single petal clinging to you.
Unless a warrior of his own caliber was present and on high alert, it was almost impossible to detect.
[You have sacrificed Du Feld's lapel flower. You have gained 300 points.]
[You have sacrificed Issho's dice cup. You have gained 2800 points.]
[You have sacrificed Charlotte Cracker's sword, "Pretzel." You have gained 1500 points.]
[You have sacrificed Charlotte Custard's...]
He'd already fleeced some of the Charlotte children whose names he couldn't remember back when he first entered the New World. But he couldn't remember which ones. So, he just hit them all again. A little here, a little there, for a total of 2000 points. Add that to the haul from Issho and Cracker, and he'd netted a cool 6600 points, bringing his balance to 64,200. Once the Tea Party started and he'd had a chance to go through Big Mom and the other underworld emperors, he'd easily break 70,000. Another shopping spree was in his future. Shane was in a good mood.
Just then, the pig-cart came to a stop. They had arrived at the Whole Cake Chateau.
The chateau was exactly as its name implied. It was a towering structure, built entirely of pink cream and chocolate, like a giant, multi-layered birthday cake. Is it real cake? Can you eat it? Bonney was practically drooling, ready to devour the entire castle.
Fortunately, the banquet was ready. Charlotte Perospero, the eldest son, was waiting at the entrance. He gave a slight, dignified bow and led them to their seats.
...
Not every guest at the Tea Party was given a room in the chateau itself. That honor was reserved for the most important VIPs, including the emperors of the underworld. Most of them had already heard of Shane's arrival and were discreetly watching from their windows as he and his crew disembarked from their pig-carts.
...
On the fifth floor, the loan shark king, Du Feld, lit a cigar, his gaze dark. "We meet again, Shane..." He noticed something and frowned. "Adele."
"Yes, boss."
"It's the same group as before. I don't see that blind swordsman. Did he refuse the offer?"
"I don't see him either, boss," the white-haired woman giggled. "But I think you've got it wrong. I think Lord Shane tested the blind man's strength, was greatly disappointed, and withdrew his offer." In the past week, she had become a devoted fan of the Curtain Call Adventurers.
"Hm. Your theory makes more sense," Du Feld nodded thoughtfully. His own investigation had revealed that the blind swordsman was some kind of soft-hearted fool who gave all his money away to the poor. He had a good reputation among the common folk, but his combat record was nonexistent. What use was a man like that?
...
On the ninth floor, Stussy, the Queen of the Red Light District, turned from the window and spoke into her anti-wiretapping Transponder Snail. "The Curtain Call crew has arrived. But, Guernica, from what I can see, Shane doesn't look like he's agreed to the marriage. Are you sure you want me to proceed?"
"It is a strategic necessity," the CP0 agent on the other end said gravely. "The Tea Party hasn't even officially started. The Charlotte family has only just begun their charm offensive. Just because he hasn't agreed now doesn't mean he won't later. The Holy Land's intention is to use the Curtain Call Pirates to shatter the current stalemate in the New World. To that end, the Warrior God of Science and Defense, Saint Saturn himself, personally intervened to mediate the conflict between them and the Marines. Under these circumstances, allowing them to form an alliance with another Yonko is absolutely unacceptable. Do you understand?!"
"I understand," Stussy said, pursing her lips. She elegantly produced a syringe from her purse. "So... Plan A is to use this drug to induce Linlin's hunger pangs, correct?"
"Yes. And if that fails, Stussy, do not hesitate to proceed to Plan B!"
"Relax. With me on the job, it won't fail," Stussy said with a smile, gazing at the tip of the needle. "And don't use that tone with me. Don't forget, Guernica, I am the best of us."
...
Meanwhile, at the docks, a group of burly biscuit soldiers were roughly tying up a few unlucky souls. One of them, a man in a suit with a bright red nose, was struggling furiously. "Hey! You Charlottes! You've got the wrong guy! I'm an invited guest! A thief? What did I steal?! I would never do something so despicable!"
"Shut up and stay still!" Cracker kicked him. "This is a direct order from my brother Katakuri! Anyone who was at the docks and is affiliated with the underworld is a suspect! You... your name is Marsol, right? You're no exception!"
But I'm a pirate, not some underworld scum! Buggy was on the verge of tears. He had gotten another treasure map, and it had led him to Whole Cake Island. He had been about to give up—who in their right mind would mess with that crazy old hag?—but he was still smarting from being scared off by Shane's flag. He couldn't just give up again. So, when he heard about the Tea Party, he'd come up with a brilliant plan. He'd ambush a minor underworld figure who had been invited, steal his identity, and sneak into Totto Land. He wouldn't even go to the Tea Party. He'd just dig up the treasure and get out. If he was discreet, no one would ever know.
And now this. A massive theft had apparently taken place at the docks, and he'd been rounded up with the other suspects. Damn that thief! What was he going to do now? Was he really going to have to rely on his idiot crew to rescue him?
"Reporting, Lord Cracker! We've apprehended this man's subordinates! We found shovels, sacks, and rope on them! All tools of the trade!"
Buggy turned to see his first mate, Cabaji, stripped naked and shivering on the ground.
"Reporting, Lord Cracker! We found two empty treasure chests on another one of his subordinates! Clearly, he was planning on using them to carry the loot!"
He looked the other way to see his other first mate, Mohji, being held unconscious in a biscuit soldier's hand.
You two are trying to get me killed... Buggy burst into tears.
BOOM!
A Haki-coated biscuit fist slammed down, driving him into the ground. All that was left sticking out was his bright red nose.
"Well, that settles it," Cracker said, his face grim. "It had to be these idiots. Thank goodness Lord Shane wasn't affected. Otherwise, I would have killed this red-nosed clown on the spot... Hey, Mont-d'Or! Lock this guy up in your book prison! We'll interrogate him after the Tea Party!"
"Yes, Brother Cracker!" A man with a pale face and a long red nose, Charlotte Mont-d'Or, the Minister of Cheese, user of the Book-Book Fruit, stepped forward. He raised his hand, and a giant book appeared. It opened to a page depicting a prison cell. The unconscious Buggy and his crew were unceremoniously tossed inside...
Back at the Whole Cake Chateau, the members of the Curtain Call crew were shown to the finest guest rooms. They had all slept soundly after their long journey and the welcome feast.
The next morning, the Tea Party officially began on the chateau's rooftop plaza. The emperors of the underworld began to arrive—Giberson the "Warehouse King," Morgans the "News King," Umit the "Shipping King," Du Feld the "Loan Shark King"... These men, who controlled the lifelines of the New World, had all shed their usual arrogance. After paying their respects to Big Mom on her throne, their eyes all drifted to the empty seat directly opposite hers, the only one at the same level. They all knew who the real star of this Tea Party was. Their titles might be impressive to ordinary people, but to a man who even the Four Emperors had to take seriously, they were nothing.
"Mamamamama! All my old friends are here! Welcome! Let's have a toast!" Big Mom laughed, raising her glass. Her massive, frilly pink dress and garishly made-up face were a grotesque sight. Many of the first-time guests couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. It was hard to believe that this repulsive old woman had once been one of the most beautiful and powerful women on the seas. But time and gluttony had taken their toll.
Of course, no one dared to let their thoughts show on their faces. They all raised their glasses with a smile.
Just then...
Creeeak~
The large doors to the rooftop plaza were slowly pushed open by a single hand.
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